Quantifying peer interaction dynamics: A network analysis of movement synchrony in two- and four-year-olds

This study introduces a novel method for quantifying peer interaction structures during free play in early childhood, combining triaxial accelerometer data with network analysis. Drawing on developmental psychology theories, we examined age- and sex-related differences in dyadic and triadic interactions among two- and four-year-old children. While no significant age or sex differences emerged in dyadic interactions, four-year-olds exhibited significantly more triadic configurations than two-year-olds, reflecting increased social complexity with age. No sex-based differences were found in the frequency or structure of interactions, aligning with previous findings in unstructured play settings. Our method offers objective, moment-to-moment assessments of naturalistic peer interactions and provides scalable insights into early social dynamics. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of peer interaction development and highlight the potential of sensor-based network approaches for studying group behavior in early childhood education contexts.